Addressing methods

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an addressing system including an addressing apparatus and addressing methods and materials used therein. A set of master cards is provided formed of porous tab card stock impregnated with a sensitizer vaporizable at 100* C. to 160* C. and having a selected area on one face thereof for the address in infrared absorbing ink; as disclosed, the master card is made by passing the porous tab card stock through a bath containing the sensitizer and a solvent therefor, after which the solvent is evaporated. The set of master cards is then employed to provide a master tape that is a strip of nonporous release material that is oleophobic and transparent to infrared radiation, and carrying thereon reverse reading copies of the addresses in the form of bodies of partially fused novel toner applied to one side of the master tape; the addresses are transferred from the master cards to the master tape utilizing a novel apparatus and method wherein a printing station is provided having a first source of infrared radiation thereat, first feed mechanism for feeding the master cards sequentially to the printing station and a second feed mechanism for feeding the master tape to the printing station to position a predetermined portion of the master tape immediately adjacent to the address on a master card positioned at the printing station, thereafter operating the first source of infrared radiation to vaporize from the master card sensitizer in areas corresponding to the address thereon onto the one surface of the master tape, applying a toner to the master tape to adhere toner to the sensitizer in areas corresponding to the address, and thereafter exposing the master tape carrying the powdered toner to a second source of infrared radiation for at least partially fusing the toner to provide a reverse reading copy of the address on the master tape. The novel toner comprises a vehicle body of wood rosin and polymerized resin, modifiers of polyamide resin and a hydrocarbon resin and pigment of carbon black. The master tape with the addresses thereon in partially fused toner is then fed to an addressing station where an envelope or other article to be addressed is placed with the surface thereof against the partially fused toner on a section of the master tape after which heat and pressure are applied thereto to transfer the bodies of toner to the envelope and fully to fuse the toner to provide on the envelope bodies of fully fused toner in areas corresponding to the address on a master card.

AnomeyPrangl United States Patent Ronald I. Morley Minneapolis;

Raymond W. Biernat, Minneapolis; Arnold J. Smidt-Hayer, St. Paul, all ofMinn.

[21] Appl. No. 643,718

[72] Inventors [22] Filed June 5, 1967 [45] Patented Sept. 21,1971

[73] Assignee Dymo Industries, Inc.

Berkeley, Calif.

[54] ADDRESSING METHODS 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-Leland A. Sebastian ey, Clayton, Mullin, Dittman &Vogel materials used therein. A set of master cards is provided formedof porous tab card stock impregnated with a sensitizer vaporizable at100C. to 160 C. and having a selected area on one face thereof for theaddress in infrared absorbing ink; as disclosed, the master card is madeby passing the porous tab card stock through a bath containing thesensitizer and a solvent therefor, after which the solvent isevaporated. The set of master cards is then employed to provide a mastertape that is a strip of nonporous release material that is oleophobicand transparent to infrared radiation, and carrying thereon reversereading copies of the addresses in the form of bodies of partially fusednovel toner applied to one side of the master tape; the addresses aretransferred from the master cards to the master tape utilizing a novelapparatus and method wherein a printing station is provided having afirst source of infrared radiation thereat, first feed mechanism forfeeding the master cards sequentially to the printing station and asecond feed mechanism for feeding the master tape to the printingstation to position a predetermined portion of the master tapeimmediately adjacent to the address on a master card positioned at theprinting station, thereafter operating the first source of infraredradiation to vaporize from the master card sensitizer in areascorresponding to the address thereon onto the one surface of the mastertape, applying a toner to the master tape to adhere toner to thesensitizer in areas corresponding to the address, and thereafterexposing the master tape carrying the powdered toner to a second sourceof infrared radiation for at least partially fusing the toner to providea reverse reading copy of the address on the master tape. The noveltoner comprises a vehicle body of wood rosin and polymerized resin,

modifiers of polyamide resin and a hydrocarbon resin and pigment ofcarbon black. The master tape with the addresses thereon in partiallyfused toner is then fed to an addressing station where an envelope orother article to be addressed is placed with the surface thereof againstthe partially fused toner on a section of the master tape after whichheat and pressure are applied thereto to transfer the bodies of toner tothe envelope and fully to fuse the toner to provide on the envelopebodies of fully fused toner in areas corresponding to the address on amaster card.

PATENTED SEP21 I97! SI: 21.18 v.22; :7

3507.527 sum 1 3F 8 II I I: 13205:: f LL11) [II] o n :11: 1207: 3.1:::2: 1111233 7 [1 [1 E u;:::.no8 1111:: 1: 2:: 7 '78 Inventors RONALD I.MORLEY RAYMOND W B/ERNAT Y ARNOLD J SMIDT-HAYER.

B M m ATTYS.

PATH! EU SEPZI I971 SHEET 2 BF 2 .YVl .Yl l

(9-2/1 too 'SYX Inventors RONALD I. MORLEY RAYMOND W B/ERNAT ARNOLD J$M/DT'HAYER.

{ ATTyS ADDR SI OD The present invention relates to an addressingsystem, and more specifically to improved addressing methods A furtherobject of the invention is to provide an improved method of transferringaddresses from a group of master cards onto a master tape comprising thesteps ofproviding a printing station having a source of infraredradiation thereat, providing a group of master cardshaving thereon anaddress ininfraredabsorbing material and vaporizable sensitizer in thearea of the address, feeding the "master cards sequentially 'tothefeeding station, providing a master tape that has a nonporous oleophobicsurface possessingreleasecharacteristics and that istransparent toinfrared radiation, feeding the master tape to the printing station toposition ,a predetermined portion of the master tape immediatelyadjacent to the address on a master card, operating the source ofinfrared radiation to vaporize sensitizer from the ,rnaster card ontothe adjacent surfaceof the master tape to provide ,on the master tape afilm of sensitizer arranged in areas corresponding to the address on themaster card, applying a toner to the master tape thereby to adhere tonerto the sensitizer thereon inareas corresponding to the address, andirradiating with infrared radiation the master tape to at leastpartially fuse the toner thereon,.thereby to provide a continuous mastertape having on predetermined portions thereof bodies of partially fusedtoner areas corresponding to the addresses on the group of the mastercards.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved methodof transferring the addresses from the master tape onto a receptor sheetsuch as an envelope, the method comprising the steps of feeding receptorsheets sequentially to position a receptor sheet against the bodies ofpartially fused toner on the master tape corresponding to the address ona master card, and applying heat and pressure to the master tape and thereceptor sheet to transfer the bodies of partially fused toner to thereceptor sheet and fully to fuse the toner thereby to provide on thereceptor sheet bodies of fully fused toner in an area correspondingltothe address on a master card.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the steps of the methods, whereby the outlined and additionalfeatures thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best beunderstood by reference to the following specification taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematie drawing of the apparatus and method for producingmaster eards useful in the method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front face of a master card made for usewith the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of the apparatus and method for applyingto a master tape addresses from a group of master cards, all inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the portion of theapparatus of FIG. 3 as seen in the direction of the arrows along theline 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front surface of a portion of a master tapemade in aecordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section through the master tape of FIG. 5along the line 6-6 thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a schematie drawing illustrating an apparatus and method oftransferring addresses from a master tape onto envelopes, all inaccordance with the present invention.

The addressing system of the present invention utilizes therein a mastercard 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the master card 10 being generallyrectangular in shape and having standard dimensions, such as for examplea length of 7% inches, a width of 3% inches and a thickness of 7 mils.More specifically, the master card 10 is formed from a piece of poroustab card stock having capillary passages extending therethroughthroughout substantially the entire body thereof. Absorbed in thecapillary passages of the master card 10 is a quantity of vaporizablesensitizer, the master card 10 containing about 1 mg. of sensitizer. Asillustrated, the master card 10 is further provided with a standardpunched card grid on the front face thereof, the grid being generallydesignated by the numeral 20 andcomprising a series of rows of numbers,columns of such numbers being illustrated in FIG. 2. The grid 20 definesan address area 30 on the card 10 to receive therein an address 40printed in infrared or heat absorbing material, for example, in inkcontaining a-high content of carbon black.

The sensitizer absorbed in the master card 10 must have certain specificproperties to be useful in the method of the present invention. Apreferred sensitizer for use in the master card 10 is sold under thedesignation Magic Oil 590", and is a mixture of branched aliphatichydrocarbons each containing at least 10 carbon atoms with branchesthereon containing up to-as many as four carbon atoms. The oil furtherhas an A.P.l.

gravity of 36, a specific gravity of 0.845, a density of 6.9

the dimensions set forth above may contain as little as 0.1 mg.

of oil and up to as much as 4 grams of oil, care being taken hat not toomuch oil be present so that the master card 10 will not feel oily to thetouch.

Another preferred sensitizer for use in the master card 10 are certainalkyl esters such as dimethyl sebacate and diethyl sebacate. Yet otherpreferred sensitizers for use in the master card '10 are aromatic estersincluding dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate. A master card 10having the dimensions set forth above may contain as little as 0.1 mg.of the ester and up to asmany as 4 gramsof the ester.

The master card 10 has many important advantages due to the character ofthe tab card stock of which it is made and due to the character andquantity of sensitizer impregnated therein. More specifically, themaster card 10 can have the address .40 printed thereon, or typedthereon, or written thereon, or applied thereto in any other knownmanner, all without interference from the sensitizer .content thereof.Furthermore, the address 40 will not bleed, smudge or block, (i.e.,transfer from the face of one card to the rear of another in a stack ofthe cards) due to the presence of sensitizer therein. F urthermore, thesensitizer does not increase the friction between cards or theadhesiveness between cards, whereby the master cards 10 may be handledmanually and in machines in the usual manner required. Furthermore, thesensitizer is nontoxic, odorless, and otherwise not obnoxious in use.Furthermore, the sensitizer does not cause the card stock to become softand mushy. Finally, the sensitizer has low volatility at ambientconditions but has a substantially partial pressure in the temperaturerange from about C. to about 160 C., whereby heating thereof will causea vapor transfer from the master card 10 to an adjacent surface. Up to500 such vapor transfers or impressions can be made from a single mastercard 10 without replenishing the sensitizer therein, and as many aseight vapor transfers or impressions may be made in a single working daydue to the fact that the sensitizer lost in transfer is replaced due tothe movement of sensitizer through the capillary passages in the mastercard 10 from areas adjacent to those from which the sensitizer is lostby vaporization.

There is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings a schematicrepresentation of the apparatus and method of forming the master card10, the apparatus being generally designated by the numeral 100. Theapparatus 100 includes a source of porous tab card stock in the form ofa roll 101 thereof which may be, for example, 24 inches in diameter andis supported on an axle 102. A first length 105 of the tab card stockfrom the roll 101 passes over a guide pulley and into a tank in which isdisposed an impregnating solution 131 that will be described more fullyhereinafter. Another guide roller 132 is provided in the tank 130 sothat another section 106 of the tab card stock is disposed between thepulleys 120 an 132, a portion of the section 106 being disposed in theimpregnating composition 131. From the guide roller I32 another section107 of the tab card stock extends upwardly to a pair of cooperatingpinch or nip rolls 121 and 122 which tend to squeeze excess impregnatingcomposition from the tab card stock, the excess composition fallingdownwardly onto an inclined surface 133 that drains back into the tank130. After leaving the pinch rolls 121-122, the tab card stock passes ina length 108 to a guide roller 123 and along a length 109 to a guideroller 124 and along a length 110 to a guide roller 125 from which alength 111 extends to a guide roller 126. The several lengths 108, 109and 110 of the impregnated tab card stock are exposed to ambientpressure and temperature conditions, whereby the solvent forming a partof the solution 131 will be evaporated therefrom leaving in the tab cardstock only the sensitizer, all as explained above. The length 111 of thetab card stock with the sensitizer impregnated therein has the grid 20printed thereon by a printing mechanism 140 that includes movable type141 and a backup plate or bed 142, whereby there is printed on the tabcard stock the grid 20.

After passing the printing mechanism 140, the tab card stock passes to asection 112 where a cutting mechanism 150 is provided that served to cutthe essentially continuous tab card stock strip into individual mastercards 10, the cutting mechanism 150 including the usual die 151 and abackup plate or bed 152. The cut and finished master cards 10 are fed toa stack thereof generally designated 160.

The impregnating solution 131 is preferably a mixture of the sensitizerthat is to be impregnated into the master card 10 and a suitablevolatile solvent therefor, the preferred solvent being hexane when thesensitizer is Magie Oil 590. The hexane not only is a solvent for thesensitizer but also serves as a penetrating agent carrying thesensitizer into the tab card stock and also lowering the viscosity ofthe sensitizer to aid in the impregnation. In a preferred example, thesensitizer is Magie Oil 590" and comprises 20 percent by weight of theimpregnating solution 131 and the hexane comprises 80 percent by weightof the impregnating solution 131. It has been found that theimpregnating solution may contain as little as 5 percent by weight ofthe sensitizer and up to as much as 50 percent by weight of thesensitizer, the remainder being hexane. In general it is impractical touse less than 5 percent by weight of sensitizer in the impregnatingsolution 131, and on the other hand, if more than about 50 percent byweight of the impregnating solution is sensitizer, then the resultantmaster card is objectionably oily to the touch. Other suitable solventsmay be utilized in place of the hexane, examples being acetone, pentane,heptane and chlorinated solvents such as dichloroethane andtrichloroethane.

1n the impregnating method of FIG. 1, it is preferred that the speed ofthe web of tab card stock be about 10 feet per second, and that about 6inches of the tab card stock be immersed at any time in the impregnatingsolution 131, thereby to give a residence time of one-twentieth secondin the impregnating solution 131. Such a residence time is adequate toprovide saturation of the tab card stock. It will be appreciated thatother methods of applying the impregnating solution 131 such as byspraying and the like may be substituted in place of the dip bath ofFIG. 1. The vapor pressure of the solvent in the impregnating solution131 must have a sufficiently high vapor pressure so that all of thesolvent is evaporated in approximately l second, whereby the printingmechanism 141) may be disposed as short a distance as 10 feet from thetank 130, and still permit all of the solvent to be evaporated from thetab card stock before reaching the printing mechanism 140.

There is then applied to the master card 10 in the address area 30 theaddress 40 in an infrared absorbing material. The address 40 may beapplied by typing, by printing, by addressegraph methods, byhandwriting, or by any other suitable method, so long as the address 40is in a heat or infrared absorbing material.

In accordance with the addressing system of the present invention, theaddress on a master card 10 is reproduced on a master tape by distillinga portion of the sensitizer from the master card 10 in areascorresponding to the infrared absorbing indicia in the address 40thereon onto one surface of the master tape. Thereafter the latent imagein the form of a sensitizer film on the master tape is developed bypassing the master tape through a toner box where toner is picked up bythe sensitizer film to reproduce the address in the toner on themastertape. The. apparatus and method of transferring addresses from agroup of master cards onto a master tape are illustrated in FIGS 3 to 6,the apparatus being generally designated in FIG. 3 by the numeral 200. Aroll 201 of master tape 210 is mounted on a support axle 202 in aposition to feed a length of the master tape 210 around a first guideroller 203 and a second guide roller 204, a reciprocating type feedmechanism 220 being provided having a finger 221 engageable in one of aseries of openings 211 provided in the master tape 210 intermediate thelongitudinal edges thereof and spaced the entire length thereof, thefeed mechanism 221 serving to feed the master tape 210 stepwise in fixedincrements from left to right as viewed in FIG. 3 between the guiderollers 203 and 204. There also is provided as a part of the apparatus200, a feed mechanism 230 for a stack of master cards including amagazine 231 to hold a stack of the master cards, a chute 232 leadingfrom the magazine 231 onto a pair of spaced apart conveyor belts 233 and234 that are supported by a plurality of guide rollers 235 and a driveroller 236 connected to a source 237 of motive power for the conveyorbelts 233 and 234. As illustrated in H6. 4, the conveyor belts 233 and234 are spaced apart and support a master card 10 adjacent to the endsthereof thereby to leave unobstructed the address area 30 carrying theaddress 40 thereon, the master tape 210 overlying the address area 30and being disposed thereagainst, the side of the master card 10 carryingthe address 40 therein being disposed upwardly.

The apparatus 200 also includes a printing station 240 at which isdisposed a source of infrared radiation in the form of a powerful lamp241 having its power supply 242 associated therewith. The infrared lamp241 will preferentially heat the heat absorbing ink forming address 40in the area 30 and cause a portion of the sensitizer in the master card10 to be vaporized in the area of the address 40 from the upper surfaceof the master card 10 onto the adjacent undersurface of the master tape210 where the oil is condensed in a film having areas shapedcorresponding to the address 40 in the area 30 on the master card 10.

After exposure to the lamp 241 at the printing station 240, the mastercard 10 eventually is deposited in a receptacle 238 therefor and themaster tape 210 with the latent image of the address in the form of asensitizer film thereon is fed to a toner box 250 containing a suitabletoner 251. More specifically, the master tape 210 is fed from theprinting station 240 to and over the guide roller 204 and around a guideroller 252 in the toner box 250, thereby to expose the sensitizer filmon the underside of the mater tape 210 to the toner 251 in the toner box250. The master tape 210 with the granular toner thereon in the areascorresponding of the address on a master card 10 is then fed past asecond source of infrared radiation in the form of a lamp 253 having apower supply 254, the lamp 253 providing intense infrared radiation atleast partially to fuse the toner on the master tape 210, thereby toprovide a continuous master tape 210 having on predetermined portionsthereof bodies of partially fused toner in the areas corresponding tothe indicia on a group of master cards 10, two such predeterminedportions 212 and 214 of the master tape 210 having been illustrated inFIG. 5 of the drawings carrying two addresses from two of the mastercards 10 thereon. More specifically, the predetermined portion of 212carries bodies 215 of toner and predetermined portion 214 carries bodies217 of partially fused toner, the bodies 215 and 217 of toner definingaddresses corresponding to the addresses on two of the master cards 10.

In order properly to operate the apparatus 200, the master tape 210 musthave certain predetermined characteristics. In one preferred form of theinvention, the master tape 210 is a glassine base paper strip (i.e., astrip of high density paper fibers treated with concentrated sodiumhydroxide to render the strip transparent) coated on at least one sidethereof with a Werner-type chromium complex such as that sold under thetrademark Quilon," such a paper strip being offered by the RhinelanderPaper Co. under the trademark 5" (coated on both sides with theWerner-type chromium complex). A master tape formed of these materialsis nonporous and oleophobic, is transparent to infrared radiation, isnonsticky to the touch, possesses good resin release characteristics, isdry to the toner, and is nonsticky to an envelope or other mailing pieceto which the addresses thereon are to be transferred in a subsequentoperation to be described hereinafter.

In place of the glassine base strip described above, there may beutilized in the present invention a parchment paper such as that sold byPatterson Parchment Company under the trademark TS-35 carrying on eachside thereof a coating of a Wemer-type chromium complex such as thatsold under the trademark Quilon.

The toner 251 of the present invention preferably comprises a vehiclebody, modifiers and pigments, the following being an example of apreferred formulation thereof:

The above ingredients were thoroughly mixed and thereafter placed in ajacketed mixture having sigma mixture blades therein and heated to atemperature in the range from about 250 F. to about 275 F. by passingsteam through the jacket of the mixture, the steam entering at atemperature of about 280 F. and exiting at a temperature of about 270 F.The fused and molten mixture was stirred until the consistency was thatof molasses, a 5 gallon batch requiring about 35 minutes of mixing. Themolten mixture was then poured onto a ceramic slab and cooled to asolid. The cooled solid was ground and pulverized in a hammer mill untilthe toner particles had sizes in the range from about 5 microns to about50 microns. Thereafter the particles wee screened to be sure that theparticles utilized in the toner were in the range from about 5 micronsto about 50 microns. Particles smaller than about 5 microns are toosmall and cause dusting, whereas particles larger than about 50 micronsprovide poor toning or imaging.

The wood 50 in the composition is that sold under the designation WWWood Rosin" by the Hercules Powder Company and contains about 60 percentby weight abietic acid, the compound having a higher acid number so asto provide better wetting when dispersing the pigment carbon and also toprovide compatibility with the resins in the composition. The wood rosinutilized has a softening point (ASTM ring and ball method) of 163 R, anacid number of 164, a saponifaction number of 168, contains 6.5 percentunsaponifiable material, contains substantially no material insoluble ingasoline, has a specific rotation for plane polarized light (sodiumline) of +1 1, a refractive index at 20 C. of 1.5453, a density at 20 C.of 1.067 grams per milliliter, and a flash point (Cleveland open cup) of420 F.

The polymerized rosin in the toner formulation is that sold under thetrademark Poly-Pale" by the Hercules Powder Company. It has an acidnumber of 145, a softening point (Hercules drop method) of 216, and abulking value (pounds per gallon at 25 C.) of 8.9. The polymerized rosinincreases the viscosity of the formulation andchecks the plasticity ofthe wood rosin.

The amount of wood rosin in the toner composition may be as little as 50parts by weight or as much as 70 parts by weight,

whereas the polymerized rosin may comprise as few as about 10 parts byweight and up to as many as 30 parts by weight. However, the ratiobetween the wood rosin and the polymerized rosin is maintained in apreferred range of from about 2.7 to about 3.3, the preferred ratiobeing that given in the table above, namely, about 3. If the wood rosincontent is too low, there is poor wetting and poor compatibility amongthe ingredients, whereby a broken image results after toning. On theother hand, if the wood rosin content is too high, the image is too softand too tacky and tends to spread out, thus providing a blotchy tonedimage. if the amount of polymerized rosin is too low, there is a lowviscosity of the toner and too much plasticity, whereas if the amount ofpolymerized rosin is too high, the toner is very brittle and friable.

The polyamide resin in the toner composition is that sold under thetrademark Versamid 930" and is more particularly a resin prepared by thecondensation of polymerized unsaturated fatty acids, i.e., dilinoleicacid, with aliphatic amines, i.e., ethylene diamine. The Versamid 930"resin has a softening point of C., a Brookfield viscosity at C. of 35poises, a specific gravity of 0.98, a density of 8.2 pounds per gallonat 25 C and a value of 3 in a modified penetration test at 25 C.following ASTM D5-52. Also useful is the polyamide resin sold under thetrademark Versarnid 940," this resin having a softening point of 1 10C., a Brookfield viscosity at 150 C. of 22 poises, a specific gravity of0.98, a density of 8.2 pounds per gallon at 25 C., and a penetrationvalue of4 at 25 C. using the modified procedure of ASTM D5-52.

The hydrocarbon resin in the toner formulation is preferably that soldunder the trademark Amoco Resin 18-210, this being a linear alpha methylstyrene polymer. This product has a softening point (ring and ball) of210 F., a Gardner-Holdt viscosity (60 percent in toluene) of 6-H, aspecific gravity of 1.08 and a molecular weight of about 720.

As little as 3 parts of the polyamide resin may be utilized in the tonerformulation and up to as many as 5 parts, whereas from about 1 parts toabout 2 parts of the hydrocarbon resin are useful. It is also necessaryto maintain a predetermined ratio between the polyamide resin and thehydrocarbon resin, the ratio being in the range from about 1.5 to about5, the preferred value being about 2 as illustrated in the table setforth above. if the amount of polyamide resin in the toner compositionis too high, the toner is too sticky, is hard to fuse and is tooviscous; on the other hand, if the content of polyamide resin is toolow, there is blocking of the toner and the adhesion to an underlyingsupport is not good. If the hydrocarbon resin content of the tonercomposition is too high, the toner exhibits poor adhesion and is toofriable; on the other hand, if the hydrocarbon resin content is too low,the toner exhibits a high viscosity and is too sticky.

It further is necessary that there is a predetermined ratio between theingredients forming the vehicle body, i.e., the wood rosin and thepolymerized rosin, and the modifiers, i.e., the polyamide resin and thehydrocarbon resin. The ratio between the vehicle body ingredients andthe modifiers is preferably in the range from about 12 to about 16, thepreferred value being about 14.

The furnace carbon black utilized in the formulation is preferably thatsold under the trademark Statex F-l2 and is characterized as a mediumdensity black with low oil absorption and a large particle size. Thechannel carbon black in the toner formulation is preferably that soldunder the trademark Carbolac 2" which is a high density black carbon ofsmall particle size and high oil absorption. As few as one part byweight of the furnace carbon black can be utilized and up to as many as14 parts by weight, whereas up to as many as 10 parts by weight of thechannel carbon black may be utilized in the formulation. At the higherconcentrations of furnace carbon black, the color of the toner becomesgrayish and the toner has a low viscosity, whereas at the lowerconcentrations of furnace carbon black the toner tends to become tooheavy in viscosity and also tends to become dusty and friable. The ratiobetween all of the other ingredients in the toner, namely, the

toner, whereas if the amount of dispersant in the formulation is toohigh, the toner tends to become tacky.

The toner described above gives very sharp heat transfer on the hereindescribed apparatus. The combination of the rosins and resins notedforms a dry, fluid powder which in use produces a sharp image and asharp, dense heat transfer which releases easily from the master tape210.

The toner as described has a melting point of about 225 F the tonerpreferably having a melting point in the range from about 225 F. toabout 230 F. If it is desired to raise the melting point of the toner,the proportions of polymerized rosin and polyarnide resin are increased,but if these proportions are increased too much, broken lines willresult in the toned image. To lower the melting point of the toner, theproportions of polymerized rosin and polyarnide resin are lowered, butif these proportions are too low, blocking of the toned image willresult and the lines in the toned image will tend to spread.

it also is desirable to provide in the toner box 200 a plurality ofglass beads (for example having diameters of approximately 200 microns)to prevent packing of the toner 251 and to improve the fluidity thereof.Alternatively, the toner box 250 may be vibrated or an auger may beplaced therein to prevent agglomeration of the toner.

Considering now further the method of utilizing the apparatus 200illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the master cards aresuccessively fed on by one from the magazine 231 onto the chute 232 andfrom there onto the conveying belts 233, 234. At the same time, themaster tape 210 is being fed from the roll 201 thereof downwardly andaround the guide roller 203. Then the lower face thereof is pressedagainst the master cards 10, movement of the master tape 210 being underthe control of the tape feed mechanism 220 and the finger 221 engagingin the openings 211 in the master tape 210. The feed mechanism 220 andthe drive 237 for conveyor belts 233, 234 operate stepwise to stop themaster tape 210 with the predetermined portion thereof disposed againstand covering the address 40 on a master card 10 disposed therebeneath atthe printing station 240 and in alignment with the infrared lamp 241.More specifically, the portion of the master tape 210 disposed betweentwo adjacent openings 211 is in registry with the address 40 on themaster card 10 disposed below the infrared lamp 241 as illustrated inH6. 4. Energization of the lamp 241 vaporized a portion of thesensitizer in the master card 10 onto the adjacent surface of the mastertape 240. The infrared radiation from the lamp 241 is preferentiallyabsorbed by the pigments in the address 40, whereby the sensitizer isvaporized from those areas of the card 10 covered by the address 40. Thesensitizer as it is vaporized from the card 10 is immediately condensedand cooled on the adjacent surface of the master tape 210 to providethereon sensitizer film that reproduces the address 40 to form in effecta latent image of the address thereon.

The above described process is repeated rapidly at the printing station240, after which the master tape 210, with the latent image of anaddress in sensitizer disposed between each pair of adjacent openings211 therein, is fed to the toner box 250 where the loose toner is pickedup by the sensitizer films on the master tape 210, thus to providedeveloped images in particles of toner of the addresses on the mastertape 210. In order to render the thus developed toner images morepermanent, they are exposed to the radiation from the lamp 253 whichheats the toner to a temperature above the fusion point thereof, i.e.,above about 225 F., thus to provide bodies of partially fused tonerdefining the addresses on the series of master cards 10 to which themaster tape 210 was exposed.

At the same time the exposed master cards 10 are delivered by theconveyor belts 233, 234 to the receptacle 238 therefor. The sensitizerin the master cards 10 adjacent to the address areas 40 therein quicklymigrates by capillary and osmotic action into the address areas 40 toreplenish the sensitizer therein, thereby to render it possible shortlythereafter again to print a latent image in sensitizer of the address 40on another master tape 210. lt has been found that as many as eight ormore impressions can be taken from a master card 10 in a normal workingday, and up to a total of 500 or more may be made from a single mastercard 10 before it is necessary to replenish the sensitizer therein.

There are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings the details ofthe structure of the master tape 210 carrying the addresses thereon inbodies of partially fused toner. Referring first to FIG. 5, there isshown a section of the master tape 210 with the longitudinal axisthereof arranged vertically with three of the openings 211 thereinillustrated defining therebetween two predetermined address carryingportions 212 and 214, respectively. Arranged in the predeterminedportion 212 is an address 215 and arranged in the predetermined portion214 is an address 217, the addresses 215 and 217 being backward readingi.e., reading from right to left. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, theaddresses 215 and 21'! comprise bodies of fused toner adhered to theunderlying surface of the master tape 210. The partially fused tonerbodies forming the addresses 215 and 217 have a certain amount ofelasticity and resilience whereby the master tape 210 may be rewoundinto roll form as at 260 in FIG. 3, the roll 260 being supported upon anaxle 261. The roll 260 of the master tape 210 with the several addresses215, 217, 219, etc. thereon can be stored substantially indefinitely andfurther can be transferred as an article of commerce at such time as theaddresses thereon are required for mailing or the like.

There is illustrated in F IG. 7 of the drawings a diagrammaticrepresentation of an apparatus 300 and a method for transferring theaddresses 215, 217, 219, etc. from the master tape 210 onto a suitablereceptor sheet such as a plurality of envelopes 330. In the apparatus300, the roll 260 of master tape 210 is supported upon an axle 301 sothat the master tape 210 can be readily fed therefrom and around a guideroller 302 to an addressing station 310 where the addresses on themaster tape 210 are transferred onto the envelope 330. From theaddressing station 310, the master tape 210 is fed around a guide roller303 and up to a takeup roll 201 of the master tape 210 mounted on anaxle 304.

The envelopes 330 are contained in a magazine 331 and are fed therefromonto and down a chute 332 onto an envelope feed mechanism 320 includinga feed belt 321 supported by a plurality of rollers 322 and a driveroller 323 connected to a suitable stepwise drive mechanism 324. Theenvelope feed mechanism 320 serves to feed the envelope 330 sequentiallyto the addressing station 310 at which is positioned a mechanism 311 forpressing a heated member 312 against the rear surface of the master tape210 positioned above an envelope 330, the enveloped 330 and the belt 321being supported by a backup bed or platen 314. After leaving theaddressing station 310, the tape 210 is wound upon the roll 201, theaxle 304 being suitably driven by a drive mechanism 305 and theaddressed envelopes 330 are delivered to a receptacle 333 therefor.

Considering now more specifically the method of operation of the addresstransferring apparatus 300, the addresses such as the addresses 215, 217and 219 on the outer surface of the master tape 210 are carried by themaster tape 210 to the addressing station 310, the addresses such as theaddress 215 being disposed downwardly. The envelope feed mechanism 320operates sequentially to feed envelopes 330 received from the magazine331 sequentially one by one to the addressing station 310 to place theenvelope below a predetermined one of the addresses, such as the address215, on the master tape 210. The master tape 210 and the envelope 330are both stopped at the addressing station 310 after which the mechanism311 is operated to press the heated member 312 against the rear of themaster tape 210 to heat the partially fused bodies of toner. forming theaddress 215 to a temperature in the range of about 225 F. to about 250F., and to press the bodies of toner forming the address 215 against theadjacent surface of the envelope 330. In this operation, the bodies ofpartially fused toner forming the address 215 are substantiallycompletely transferred from the surface of the master tape 210 onto theadjacent surface of the envelope 330, and also the bodies of tonerforming the address 215 are fully fused to provide on the envelope 330bodies of fully fused toner arranged to provide the address 40 on themaster card 10 that was utilized to provide the address 215 on themaster tape 210. j

The transfer of the toner from the master tape 210 and the envelope 330to provide an address on the envelope 330 is facilitated by the factthat there is substantially no adherence between the toner bodies andthe surface of the master tape 210, it being pointed out that thesurface of the master tape 210 is nonporous, oleophobic, and possessesgood release characteristics. The surface of the envelope 330 on theother hand has a good affinity for the bodies of toner forming theaddress, thereby materially to facilitate the transfer of the tonerbodies thereto. As a result, there is provided on the envelope 330 aforward reading, i.e., left to right reading, reproduction in toner ofthe address 40 on the original corresponding master card 10. As theaddresses on the master tape 210 are transferred onto the envelopes 330sequentially, a group of envelopes is provided having addresses thereoncorresponding to the addresses on the group of master cards 10 that werein the magazine 231.

it will be appreciated that other suitable apparatus may be utilized inplace of the apparatus 300 illustrated in FIG. 7 to transfer theaddresses on the master tape 210 onto the envelope 330. For example, amachine sold under the trademark Cheshire Model 514" is particularlyuseful for this purpose. In fact any suitable machine that will supply aheated member or platen that will heat the bodies of toner to atemperature in the range of about 225 F., to 250 F. and apply a pressurethereto will be suitable for this purpose.

The master tape 210 is also preferably transparent, whereby the right toleft reading addresses in the partially fused toner bodies on the oneface thereof can be seen therethrough from the other face thereof topresent left to right reading addresses in the partially fused tonerbodies. in accordance with another preferred form of the presentinvention, the master tape 210 may be cut into individual addressinglabels with a single address thereon, and thereafter secured to anenvelope or the like, with the side of the master tape 210 carrying thetone thereon disposed toward the envelope; any suitable securing meanssuch as glue, or the like, may be used to secure the ad dressing labelto the envelope. The address will be seen through the addressing labeland will be readable from left to right in the usual manner.

From the above it will be seen that there has been provided an improvedaddressing system incorporating therein improved methods which fulfillall of the objects and advantages set forth above. It will be understoodthat the information on the master cards 10 need not be addresses butmay be any other form of information arranged in indicia formed ofinfrared absorption material, wherein it is desired to duplicate thoseindicia in a sequential manner on receptor sheets such as the envelopes330 described above.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for transferring indicia from a group of master cards onto amaster tape, said method comprising providing a printing station havinga source of infrared radiation thereat, providing a group of mastercards having thereon indicia of infrared absorbing material andvaporizable material in the area of the indicia, feeding the mastercards sequentially to said,

printing station to position a master card with the indicia thereon inposition to be exposed to the source of infrared radiation, providing amaster tape that has a nonporous oleophobic surface having resin releasecharacteristics and that is transparent to infrared radiation, feedingthe master tape to said printing station to position a predeterminedportion of the master tape with one surface thereof disposed immediatelyadjacent to the indicia on a master card positioned at said printingstation, energizing said source of infrared radiation after feeding of amaster card and a predetermined portion of the master tape to saidprinting station to vaporize from the master card a portion of thevaporizable material from areas corresponding to the indicia thereononto the one surface of the predetermined portion of the master tape toprovide on the master tape vaporizable material arranged in areascorresponding to the indicia, and applying a toner to the one surface ofthe master tape to adhere toner to the vaporizable material thereon inareas corresponding to the indicia, thereby to provide a continuousmaster tape having on the predetermined portions thereof bodies of tonerin areas corresponding to the indicia on the group of master cards.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps offeeding receptor sheets sequentially to position a receptor sheetagainst the bodies of toner corresponding to the address on a mastercard, and applying heat and pressure to the master tape and the receptorsheet to transfer the bodies of toner to the receptor sheet and fully tofuse the toner thereby to provide on said receptor sheet bodies of fullyfused toner in an area corresponding to the address on a master card.

3. The method set forth in claim 2, wherein a pressure is applied at atemperature above about 225 F.

4. A method for transferring indicia from a group of master cards onto amaster tape, said method comprising providing a printing station havinga source of infrared radiation thereat, providing a group of mastercards having thereon indicia of infrared-absorbing material andvaporizable material in the area of the indicia, feeding the mastercards sequentially to said printing station to position a master cardwith the indicia thereon in position to be exposed to form source ofinfrared radiation, providing a master tape that has a nonporousoleophobic surface having resin release characteristics and that istransparent to infrared radiation, feeding the master tape to saidprinting station to position a predetermined portion of the master tapewith one surface thereof disposed immediately adjacent to the indicia ona master card positioned at said printing station, energizing saidsource of infrared radiation after feeding of a master card and apredetermined portion of the master tape to said printing station tovaporize from the master card a portion of the vaporizable material fromareas corresponding to the indicia thereon onto the one surface of thepredetermined portion of the master tape to provide on the master tapevaporizable material arranged in areas corresponding to the indicia,applying a toner to the one surface of the master tape to adhere tonerto the vaporizable material thereon in areas corresponding to theindicia, and irradiating the master tape with the toner thereon at leastpartially to fuse the toner on the master tape, thereby to provide acontinuous master tape having on the predetermined portions thereofbodies of partially fused toner in areas corresponding to the indicia onthe group of master cards.

5. The method set forth in claim 4, wherein the master card is stoppedat said printing station and the master tape is stopped at said printingstation, the master card and the master tape being stationary during theoperating of the source of infrared radiation at the printing station.

6. The method set forth in claim 4, wherein the side of the master cardcarrying the indicia is placed in contact with the adjacent one surfaceof the master tape during the operating of the source of infraredradiation at the printing station.

7. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising the steps offeeding receptor sheets sequentially to position a receptor sheetagainst the bodies of partially fused toner on the master tapecorresponding to the indicia on a master card, and applying heat andpressure to the master tape and the receptor sheet to transfer thebodies of partially fused toner to said receptor sheet and fully to fusethe toner thereby to provide on said receptor sheet bodies of fullyfused toner in an area corresponding to the indicia on a master card.

8. A method for transferring addresses from a group of master cards ontoa master tape, said method comprising the steps of providing a printingstation having a source of infrared radiation thereat, providing a groupof master cards having thereon an address in infrared-absorbing materialand vaporizable sensitizer in the area of the address, feeding themaster cards sequentially to said printing station to position a mastercard with the address thereon in position to be exposed to said sourceof infrared radiation. providing a master tape that has a nonporousoleophobic surface possessing resin release characteristics and that istransparent to infrared radiation, feeding the master tape to saidprinting station to position a predetermined portion of the master tapewith one surface thereof disposed immediately adjacent to the address ona master card positioned at said printing station, operating said sourceof infrared radiation to vaporize from the master card a portion of thevaporizable sensitizer from areas corresponding to the address thereononto the one surface of the predetermined portion of the master tape toprovide on the master tape a film of sensitizer arranged in areascorresponding to the address, applying a toner to the one surface of themaster tape to adhere toner to the sensitizer thereon in areascorresponding to the address, and irradiating with infrared radiationthe predetermined portion of the master tape at least partially to fusethe toner thereon, thereby to provide a continuous master tape having onpredetermined portions thereof bodies of partially fused toner in areascorresponding to the addresses on the group of master cards.

9. The method set forth in claim 8, and further comprising the steps offeeding receptor sheets sequentially to position a receptor sheetagainst the bodies of partially fused toner on the master tapecorresponding to the address on a master card, and applying heat andpressure to the master tape and the receptor sheet to transfer thebodies of partially fused toner to the receptor sheet and fully to fusethe toner thereby to provide on the receptor sheet bodies of fully fusedtoner in an area corresponding to the address on a master card.

2. The method set forth in claim 1, and further comprising the steps offeeding receptor sheets sequentially to position a receptor sheetagainst the bodies of toner corresponding to the address on a mastercard, and applying heat and pressure to the master tape and the receptorsheet to transfer the bodies of toner to the receptor sheet and fully tofuse the toner thereby to provide on said receptor sheet bodies of fullyfused toner in an area corresponding to the address on a master card. 3.The method set forth in claim 2, wherein a pressure is applied at atemperature above about 225* F.
 4. A method for transferring indiciafrom a group of master cards onto a master tape, said method comprisingproviding a printing station having a source of infrared radiationthereat, providing a group of master cards having thereon indicia ofinfrared-absorbing material and vaporizable material in the area of theindicia, feeding the master cards sequentially to said printing stationto position a master card with the indicia thereon in position to beexposed to form source of infrared radiation, providing a master tapethat has a nonporous oleophobic surface having resin releasecharacteristics and that is transparent to infrared radiation, feedingthe master tape to said printing station to position a predeterminedportion of the master tape with one surface thereof disposed immediatelyadjacent to the indicia on a master card positioned at said printingstation, energizing said source of infrared radiation after feeding of amaster card and a predetermined portion of the master tape to saidprinting station to vaporize from the master card a portion of thevaporizable material from areas corresponding to the indicia thereononto the one surface of the predetermined portion of the master tape toprovide on the master tape vaporizable material arranged in areascorresponding to the indicia, applying a toner to the one surface of themaster tape to adhere toner to the vaporizable material thereon in areascorresponding to the indicia, and irradiating the master tape with thetoner thereon at least partially to fuse the toner on the master tape,thereby to provide a continuous master tape having on the predeterminedportions thereof bodies of partially fused toner in areas correspondingto the indicia on the group of master cards.
 5. The method set forth inclaim 4, wherein the master card is stopped at said printing station andthe master tape is stopped at said printing station, the master card andthe master tape being stationary during the operating of the source ofinfrared radiation at the printing station.
 6. The method set forth inclaim 4, wherein the side of the master card carrying the indicia isplaced in contact with the adjacent one surface of the master tapeduring the operating of the source of infrared radiation at the printingstation.
 7. The method set forth in claim 4, and further comprising thesteps of feeding receptor sheets sequentially to position a receptorsheet against the bodies of partially fused toner on the master tapecorresponding to the indicia on a master card, and applying heat andpressure to the master tape and the receptor sheet to transfer thebodies of partially fused toner to said receptor sheet and fully to fusethe toner thereby to provide on said receptor sheet bodies of fullyfused toner in an area corresponding to the indicia on a master card. 8.A method for transferring addresses from a group of master cards onto amaster tape, said method comprising the steps of providing a printingstation having a source of infrared radiation thereat, providing a groupof master cards having thereon an address in infrared-absorbing materialand vaporizable sensitizer in the area of the address, feeding themaster cards sequentially to said printing station to position a mastercard with the address thereon in position to be exposed to said sourceof infrared radiation, providing a master tape that has a nonporousoleophobic surface possessing resin release characteristics and that istransparent to infrared radiation, feeding the master tape to saidprinting station to position a predetermined portion of the master tapewith one surface thereof disposed immediately adjacent to the address ona master card positioned at said printing station, operating said sourceof infrared radiation to vaporize from the master card a portion of thevaporizable sensitizer from areas corresponding to the address thereononto the one surface of the predetermined portion of the master tape toprovide on the master tape a film of sensitizer arranged in areascorresponding to the address, applying a toner to the one surface of themaster tape to adhere toner to the sensitizer thereon in areascorresponding to the address, and irradiating with infrared radiationthe predetermined portion of the master tape at least partially to fusethe toner thereon, thereby to provide a continuous master tape having onpredetermined portions thereof bodies of partially fused toner in areascorresponding to the addresses on the group of master cards.
 9. Themethod set forth in claim 8, and further comprising the steps of feedingreceptor sheets sequentially to position a receptor sheet against thebodies of partially fused toner on the master tape corresponding to theaddress on a master card, and applying heat and pressure to the mastertape and the receptor sheet to transfer the bodies of partially fusedtoner to the receptor sheet and fully to fuse the toner thereby toprovide on the receptor sheet bodies of fully fused toner in an areacorresponding to the address on a master card.